The USA and the Philippines have had a decades-long partnership. In Manila, Foreign Minister Blinken reiterated his country’s “iron-clad” support – especially with regard to China.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has assured the Philippines of continued US support amid rising tensions with China. The background is, among other things, China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea as well as incidents between Chinese and Filipino ships in the disputed area.
The security commitments to the partner are “iron,” said Blinken at a joint press conference with his counterpart Enrique Manalo in Manila. “These waterways are vital to the Philippines, its security and its economy,” he said. They are crucial to “the interests of the region, the United States and the world.”
As early as 1951, both countries had adopted a defense pact that provided for a mutual obligation to provide military assistance in the event of an external attack. Last year, Manila and Washington also designated an expanded defense agreement and four new locations for US military bases in the region. The Philippines is Washington’s oldest treaty partner in the region.
Criticism from China
The Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized Blinken’s statements. The US is not a party to the South China Sea issues and has no right to interfere, said spokesman Lin Jian in Beijing. Military cooperation between Washington and Manila must not violate China’s sovereignty. China will continue to take necessary measures to defend them, he said.
It was only at the beginning of March that another incident occurred in the South China Sea. According to the Philippine Coast Guard, Chinese ships are said to have attempted to block a Philippine supply mission. Among other things, the Chinese are said to have used water cannons. The National Security Council of the Southeast Asian island state spoke of dangerous and illegal maneuvers.
There are repeated incidents between the two countries in the disputed region. There has been a dispute between Beijing and Manila for decades over the resource-rich area of widely scattered reefs and islands west of the Philippines and far south of China. The countries’ patrolling coast guards regularly carry out dangerous maneuvers there. China claims practically the entire South China Sea as its own. But the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei also claim territory there.
Source: Stern
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